Redblacks William Powell, Lewis Ward named CFL Top Performers for September

Ottawa Redblacks running back William Powell and kicker Lewis Ward, both named Wednesday as Shaw CFL Top Performers of the Month for September, aren’t getting hung up in individual recognition.

Both have a team trophy in mind—the Grey Cup.

Powell had two games of 140-plus yards in September, with two touchdowns. He had a standout game in Week 14 against Saskatchewan, recording a season-high 148 rushing yards.

“I don’t really think about it,” said Powell, who leads all CFL running backs with 1,141 yards on 208 carries. “Our main focus is getting better, playing with a sense of urgency and getting wins down the stretch. The team’s coming along great. We’re opening up the playbook and clicking on all cylinders. When the pass game’s going well, the run game’s going to be good and vice versa.

“When you have the momentum, I compare it to basketball where if you’re (on a roll), the hoop seems like it’s super wide and you can’t miss. Momentum is a good thing because it builds confidence. And when you’re playing with confidence, you’re playing with an edge—that’s always a good thing.”

Ward kicked 13 straight field goals in September, extending his streak to 37, breaking the CFL record for a single-season streak. He is just two away from matching the record for longest streak (39, set by Rene Paredes in 2012-2013). The former Ottawa Gee-Gee has made 40 of his 41 field goal attempts this season, with his lone miss coming in Week 1.

“I appreciate it, people reach out and say congratulations,” said Ward. “It’s not something I get caught up in. I move on. We’ve got the rest of the season to go.”

Also selected as a Top Performer was Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli. The three players were chosen by a panel of judges who independently send their selections to the CFL head office. The panel includes former CFL players Matt Dunigan and Duane Forde of TSN and Pierre Vercheval of RDS.

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